TABOR and SENIOR CITIZENS
State Question 726, known as the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (or TABOR), is an initiative that would amend the state's constitution to require a state budget spending cap. It is modeled after a similar version of TABOR passed in COlorado that led to the deterioration of services for the elderly. TABOR limits the the growth of revenue to inflation plus population growth and puts revenue questions to voters rather than the legislature. Under TABOR, a state's ability to maintain services that keep pace with a growing economy is seriously undermined. As a consequence, it has the potential to undo many vital programs for all ages, including our growing population of senior citizens.
TABOR IS A PROVEN FAILURE
- Colorado is the only state to have implemented TABOR. It proved to be such a failure that Colorado voters, led by a broad-based, bipartisan coalition of senior citizens, business leaders, teachers, healthcare providers, firefighters, media, and others, supported the suspension of TABOR to allow their state budget to recover.
- Because of TABOR, services for elderly people and those with disabilities were cut drastically or eliminated in Colorado. For example, senior care programs providing needed assistance for prescription drug costs were eliminated. Also, over 100,000 senior citizens lost property tax exemptions because of mandated cuts under TABOR.
- In Colorado, funds for education, parks and transportation were significantly limited. Investments in education at all levels plummeted. Colorado is among the lowest of all 50 states in access to quality public education. As a result, Colorado's children have lower test scores, higher class sizes, lower graduation rates, and lower teacher salaries.
SQ 726 WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH COLORADO'S TABOR
Proponents acknowledge that Colorado's TABOR is flawed but claim that SQ 726 fixes Colorado's mistakes. Yet under SQ 726:
- The state budget would be subject to a flawed mathematical formula that does not reflect the rapid growth of Oklahoma's senior citizen population. Further, the formula does not account for the rising costs of health care, housing, education, and transportation. Seniors should not be subject to risky formulas and failed policies.
- The state would have less ability to respond to revenue downturns. The Legislature would no longer be required to keep its revenue reserve. Our policymakers would have their hands tied as they address unanticipated emergencies.
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SQ 726 grants any citizen the right to sue to enforce its provisions. The annual state budget will be held hostage to competing lawsuits, funded by taxpayers.
- Tax rebates, in years when they are provided, would be proportional to households' income tax only. Families that pay more in sales tax, excise taxes, payroll taxes, and property tax would be left out. The truth is that families will end up paying more in new fees and charges.
OKLAHOMA DOES NOT NEED TABOR
- Oklahoma maintains a comprehensive system of homegrown tax and spending limits. Oklahoma already has a balanced budget requirement, a Constitutional Reserve Fund, and the requirement of a vote of the people to raise taxes.
Under TABOR, Oklahoma would lack the resources to ensure quality programs that protect, support, and assist our state's 600,00 senior citizens--62 years and older.